Cause of death for missing woman found near Evergreen unknown following exam

The cause and manner of death for a missing woman whose remains were found earlier this month in northwest Olympia are still undetermined following a medical exam, according to the Thurston County Coroner’s Office.

Karen J. Brocha, 63, hadn’t been heard from in nearly a year. Her skeletal remains and some personal items were found April 4 in a wooded area along Overhulse Road Northwest, according to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office.

Brocha was identified through dental records. Her remains were sent to King County for X-rays and a physical exam by a forensic anthropologist who found no signs of trauma but could not determine the cause of death, said Thurston County Coroner Gary Warnock.

Brocha was evicted from her home in April 2018. Police were concerned she might be suicidal after she left her cat behind along with a note asking that it be taken care of. She reportedly told her brother she was going to “take care of everything.”

This story was originally published April 19, 2019 at 3:01 PM.